THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


SHORT    POEM, 

CONTAINING  A   DESCANT    ON  THE 

UNIVERSAL    PLAN. 

ALSO  , 

L  I  1ST  E  S 

ON  THE  HAPPY  END  OF  THE  RIGHTEOUS, 


PROSPERITY  AND  DEATH  01  THE  RICH  MAN, 

SPOKEN    OF    IN     SAINT     LUKE'S    GOSPEL,    CHAPTER    XVI. 


BY    JOHN    PECK. 


Days  should  speak,  and  years  teach  wisdom.    1  also  will  show  mine  opiniu 
Job  ixxii.  7  and  10. 


JFourtfj  IStiittcm. . . .  EKitij  a  preface. 

BOSTON: 
JOHN    P.    JEWETT    AND    COMPANY. 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO:  — H.    P.    B.    JEWETT    &    CO. 
1858. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1858, 

BY   JOHN   P.   JEWETT   &    CO. 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Mass. 


PRINTED  BY  PRENTISS,   SAWYER,  AND  COMPANY, 
NO.   19  WATER  STREET,  BOSTON. 


P6 
^539 


I35& 


PREFACE. 


The  following  pages  are  a  reprint  of  an  old  pamphlet, 
'printed  and  sold,  April,  1813.'  It  is  presumed  that 
they  contain  an  expression  of  the  views  of  one  JOHN 
PECK,  on  the  subject  of  Universal  Salvation ;  or,  as 
he  styles  it,  « The  Universal  Plan.'  It  appears  to 
have  passed  through  three  editions  at  least,  that  print 
ed  in  April,  1813,  being  the  third.  Whether  that  is 
the  last  one  in  that  form  or  no,  there  is  probably  now 
no  means  of  ascertaining.  We  have  been  informed 
that  it  was  printed  entire,  about  thirty  years  ago,  in  a 
religious  newspaper,  in  this  city. 

When  it  was  written,  or  by  whom,  seems  now  to  be 
a  problem  somewhat  difficult  of  solution  ;  for  we  have 
made  very  considerable  exertions  to  ascertain  the  fact, 
besides  writing  to  a  number  of  gentlemen  bearing  the 
name  of  Peck,  but  have  not  been  able  to  learn  any 
thing  of  our  author  ;  and  it  is,  to  say  the  least,  a 
question  whether  '  John  Peck '  is  a  veritable  person, 
or  whether  it  is  not  an  anonymous  signature.  Be  that 
as  it  may,  it  is  evidently  the  work  of  somebody,  and  of 
somebody  Avho  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  questions 
which  engaged  the  attention  of  the  Church  in  his  day ; 
one  who  •  thought,  and  spake  what  came  of  thinking ; ' 


1  n.?f 


4  PREFACE. 

whose  words  were  quaintly  uttered,  perhaps  sometimes 
even  roughly.  We  will  add,  in  this  connection,  that 
we  have  a  faint  recollection  of  having  heard,  many 
years  ago,  that  the  author  was  a  farmer  in  the  State  of 
Vermont,  but  that  impression  is  exceedingly  vague 
and  uncertain. 

Quotations  from  « Peck '  are  frequently  met  with  in 
the  works  of  Orthodox  writers  on  the  doctrine  of 
Universal  Salvation,  showing  that  its  arguments  were 
considered  of  some  value  in  the  discussion.  It  does 
certainly  contain  a  number  of  fair  hits,  and  its  reason 
ing  is  forceful  and  to  the  point.  The  style  thereof,  we 
presume,  will  be  counted  not  the  highest  in  the  '  di 
vine  art,'  if  it  be  not  by  some  actually  called  doggerel. 
But  then  it  will  be  observed  that  our  poet  claims  for  it 
nothing  higher.  He  was  evidently  an  unlettered  man, 
as  his  imperfect  English  abundantly  testifies.  We 
have  printed  it  verbatim,  for  we  think  it  fitting  that  the 
author  should  tell  his  own  story  in  his  own  language. 

The  copy  from  which  this  is  printed  was  found  in 
the  library  of  S.  G.  DRAKE,  Esq.,  and  was  kindly 
loaned  by  him  for  the  purpose. 

Besides  the  main  poem,  there  are  two  shorter  ones 
by  Mr.  Peck,  and  one  entitled  '  Thoughts  on  Univer- 
salism,  by  a  different  author,'  though  we  think  it 
bears  the  impress  of  the  same  mind.  We  have  also 
added  two  short  pieces  from  Dr.  Watts,  merely  to 
'  make  out  the  form.' 


POEMS. 


"What  if  the  author  is  no  bard, 

But  writes  a  dogg'rel  song ; 
What  if  the  muse  her  aid  refuse, 

While  he  doth  creep  along? 

The  squalling  winds  may  clear  the  air, 

And  drive  the  fog  away ; 
My  grov'ling  rhymes  may  hit  the  times, 

And  truth  and  light  convey. 

A  cobbler  works,  a  quack  would  ride, 

And  noddies  often  dream ; 
A  clown  will  walk,  a  babbler  talk, 

And  I  pursue  my  theme. 
1* 


SHORT     POEMS. 

Huzza !  brave  boys  —  loud  be  our  joys, 

Your  sins  shall  be  forgiven ; 
O !  skip  and  sing,  our  God  and  King 

Will  bring  us  all  to  heaven. 

Repent  we  may,  reform  and  pray  ; 

If  not,  all  will  be  well ; 
For,  do  our  worst  we  shan't  be  curst, 

Nor  can  we  get  to  hell. 

0 

What  if  we  live  and  die  in  sin  ? 

Grace  will  abound  the  more  ; 
Justice,  though  bold,  dares  not  take  hold, 

For  Christ  has  paid  the  score. 

O  !  charming  news  to  live  in  sin, 
And  die  to  reign  with  Paul ; 

'T  is  so  indeed,  for  Jesus  bled 
To  save  the  devil  and  all. 

Some  think  the  just  alone  reach  heaven ; 

But  all  who  curse  and  swear, 
And  lie  and  steal,  get  drunk  and  kill, 

Find  safe  admittance  there. 


SHORT     POEMS. 

But  can  such  naked  souls  as  these 

Angelic  honors  hold  ? 
O  yes  !  they  wear  white  raiment  there, 

And  walk  in  streets  of  gold. 

'T  is  there  God  gives  to  every  knave 
A  bright  and  radiant  crown  ; 

'T  is  there  they  eat  ambrosia  sweet, 
And  swill  the  nectar  down. 

There  the  black  devil  will  ascend, 
And  walk  with  God  in  white, 

When  he  through  age  has  lost  his  rage, 
And  flung  out  all  his  spite. 

We  know  't  is  well  to  keep  from  vice, 

But  sin  nobody  kills  ; 
Gabriel  himself  will  all  escort 

To  Zion's  blooming  hills. 

None  but  a  foolish  fanatic, 
Of  weak  and  simple  brains, 

Can  think  that  God  will  punish  sin 
With  hell's  eternal  pains. 


SHORT     POEMS. 

It  is  the  Gospel  we  uphold, 
The  Law  condemns,  we  know, 

But  Christ  has  stopp'd  its  snarling  mouth 
A  thousand  years  ago. 

'T  is  out  of  date,  we  hate  its  noise, 

It  ever  would  us  sting  ; 
Therefore,  forsooth,  we  cast  it  forth, 

As  far  as  we  can  fling. 

For  who  can  bear  its  galling  yoke, 

Or  wear  its  heavy  chain  ? 
We  wish  for  ease,  ourselves  to  please, 

And  some  unrighteous  gain. 

The  road,  we  trust,  is  vastly  broad, 
That  leads  where  Jesus  dwells, 

And  knaves  and  rogues  go  hand  in  hand, 
To  grace  those  sparkling  hills. 

But  stay,  thou  hasty,  rattling  pen, 

Be  careful  how  you  rave  ; 
You  fight  the  great,  the  men  of  state, 

The  knowing  and  the  brave. 


SHORT     POEMS. 

The  Universalists  believe 

Regenerating  power, 
That  all  return,  repent  and  mourn, 

In  God's  appointed  hour. 

But  do  n't  the  preachers  of  this  plan 

Have  a  delusive  call ; 
Emerging  straight  from  the  black  gate 

Of  hell's  infernal  haU? 

"Who  say  to  men,  Ye  shall  not  die  ; 

No  sinner  will  be  lost ; 
The  devil  was  sent  to  make  men  sin, 

And  Christ  to  pay  all  cost. 

That  though  men  serve  the  devil  and  lust, 

They  will,  with  one  accord, 
When  tired  and  done  with  such  sweet  fun, 

Run  panting  to  the  Lord. 

Alas  !  can  bold,  presumptuous  souls, 

For  pard'ning  mercy  look, 
Who  perish  in  the  act  of  sin, 

By  some  immediate  stroke  ? 


10  SHORT     POT2MS. 

Are  pardons  granted  after  death  ? 

Did  Christ  such  tidings  bring  ? 
Can  men  who  die,  or  angels  high, 

By  Scripture  prove  the  thing  ? 

0  yes,  indeed  !  such  will  be  saved, 

Salvation's  door  is  wide  ; 
This  golden  plan  takes  every  man, 

For  Christ  for  all  has  died. 

And  all  who  fall  by  suicide 

Are  wise  beyond  compare  ! 
They  spill  their  blood  and  fly  to  God, 

And  reign  eternal  there. 

King  Pharaoh  and  his  mighty  host 

Had  Godlike  honors  given  ; 
A  pleasant  breeze  brought  them  with  ease, 

By  water  unto  heaven. 

But  still  the  chosen  of  the  Lord 

Through  drought  and  danger  drags  ; 

They  live  in  fears  full  forty  years, 
Curst  with  a  thousand  plagues. 


SHORT    POEMS.  11 

And  yet,  poor  fools,  they  loudly  sing, 
When  they  had  passed  the  flood, 

Where  their  blessed  foes  forsook  all  woes, 
To  walk  in  bliss  with  God. 

So  all  the  filthy  Sodomites, 

When  God  bade  Lot  retire, 
Went  in  a  trice  to  Paradise, 

On  rapid  wings  of  fire. 

And  there,  impure,  they  rest  on  high, 

For  Jesus  came  to  save  ; 
But  righteous  Lot  must  take  his  scot 

Within  a  stinking  cave. 

But  did  not  Sodom's  crimes  pull  down 

God's  vengeance  from  above  ? 
Can  flaming  wrath,  freighted  with  death, 

Bestow  eternal  love  ? 

O  yes  !  God  saw  them  all  in  sin, 

And  sent  that  dreadful  storm, 
To  bring  them  straight  to  heaven's  height, 

Their  manners  to  reform. 


12  SHORT     POEMS. 

And  when  the  murmuring,  marching  tribes 

Required  a  dainty  dish, 
And  food  was  sent  around  each  tent, 

"Well  suited  to  their  wish  — 

God  kindly  sent  the  raging  plague, 
Which  brought  the  lustful  brood 

To  Zion's  hill,  their  souls  to  fill 
With  heaven's  choicest  food. 

And  thousands  more  made  speedy  flight, 

As  we  from  Scripture  hear, 
To  gormandize  above  the  skies, 

Because  they  worshipped  Peor. 

Proud  Korah,  with  his  factious  club, 
Whom  hell  thought  to  devour, 

By  crafty  slip,  took  nimble  trip 
To  heaven's  lofty  tower  : 

And  when  the  filthy  Canaanites 
To  Joshua's  host  were  given, 

The  sun  stood  still,  so  they  might  kill, 
And  send  them  off  to  heaven. 


SHORT     POEMS.  18 

God  saw  those  villains  were  too  bad 

To  own  that  fruitful  land ; 
He  therefore  took  the  rascals  up, 

To  dwell  at  his  right  hand. 

So  Jabin's  army,  coming  forth 

With  Deborah's  host  to  fight, 
By  heaven's  wrath,  were  blest  with  death, 

And  raised  to  realms  of  light. 

The  hardened  thief  upon  the  cross, 

Mocking  the  Saviour  there, 
Went  with  him  through  the  ether  blue, 

And  in  his  glories  share. 

The  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Which  Jesus  did  declare 
Still  unforgiven  in  earth  or  heaven, 

Was  nothing  but  to  scare. 

For  Ananias  and  his  wife 

Soon  readied  the  starry  throne, 

When  they  in  pride  had  loudly  lied 
Unto  that  Sacred  One. 


14  SHOUT     POEMS. 

And  Judas,  that  perfidious  wretch, 
Was  not  for  crimes  accurst ; 

He  by  a  cord  outwent  his  Lord, 
And  got  to  heaven  first. 

But  he  was  branded  with  a  woe, 
And  better  ne'er  been  born  ; 

Tush,  this  mock  woe,  but  let  him  know 
That  grace  would  him  adorn. 

Paul's  fabulous  catalogue  of  crimes, 
Which  in  his  works  is  found, 

Placed  there  to  make  the  fearful  quake, 
Will  never  kill  nor  wound. 

For  God  's  flung  by  one  attribute ; 

His  justice  he  abates ; 
And  criminals,  continuing  such, 

May  enter  heaven's  gates. 

Yea,  and  in  fact  strict  holiness 

Does  not  with  him  abide, 
For  the  unholy  and  impure 

Are  seated  by  his  side. 


SHORT     POEMS.  15 

Yes,  every  vile,  abandoned  wretch, 

Beneath  the  spacious  sky, 
Who  dieth  in  the  act  of  sin, 

Shall  reign  with  God  on  high. 

There  saint  and  devil,  good  and  bad, 

Will  mingle  in  the  crowd  ; 
Hail  sprites  well  met,  but  hell-hounds  set 

To  praise  the  Lord  aloud. 

O  dreadful  stuff,  insanity 

Has  took  the  wretched  man  : 
Well,  then  I  wot  that  he  has  got 

The  Universal  Plan. 

But  can  the  well-informed  mind, 

Upon  a  dying  bed, 
Conscious  of  sin  long  live"d  in,     . 

With  such  strange  stuff  be  fed  ? 

Can  he,  in  that  distressing  hour, 

Have  hope  to  enter  heaven, 
While  all  impure,  still  unrenewed, 

And  not  a  sin  forgiven  ? 


16  SHORT     POEMS. 

Will  he  not  beg  forgiving  grace  ? 

Can  he  this  business  wave  ? 
Will  he  expect  a  pardoning  act, 

Beyond  the  silent  grave  ? 

To  save  his  people  from  their  sins, 

The  blessed  Jesus  came  ; 
This  charming  prop  supports  the  hope 

Of  all  who  love  his  name. 

But  there  's  no  pardon  after  death ; 

'T  is  not  the  Saviour's  will ; 
Then  the  unholy  and  impure 

Must  be  unholy  still : 

For  heaven  itself  would  be  defiled  ; 

God's  throne  a  filthy  place  ; 
If  sinners  were  admitted  there, 

Devoid  of  cleansing  grace. 

JEsau  repented  when  too  late, 

To  his  amazing  cost, 
And  millions  since,  through  negligence, 

Have  heaven's  glory  lost. 


SHORT     POEMS.  17 

Then  let  us  now  repair  to  Christ, 

While  hours  of  grace  endure, 
(Our  time  doth  fly,  we  soon  must  die,) 

His  blessing  to  secure. 

For  there  will  be  a  solemn  day, 

When  all  the  dead  must  rise  ; 
When  rich  and  poor  must  stand  before 

A  throne  fixed  in  the  skies. 

When  a  division  will  be  made, 

By  God,  who  dwells  in  light ; 
When  some  must  stand  at  his  left  hand, 

And  others  at  his  right. 

When  he  will  bring  the  right  hand  ones 

To  walk  celestial  plains  ; 
When  he  will  frown  the  left  ones  down, 

To  suffer  endless  pains. 

But  0  !  (say  some)  you  much  mistake, 

For  only  sin  is  curst ; 
The  Lord  saves  all,  both  great  and  small, 

Even  the  very  worst. 

2* 


18  SHORT     POEMS. 

Well,  if  their  sins  are  sent  to  hell, 
Their  graces  go  to  heaven  ; 

Such  a  decision  to  this  position, 
I  trust  may  well  be  given. 

For  come  ye  blest,  and  go  ye  curst, 
Are  drest  in  equal  plight ; 

If  sin  is  sent  to  punishment, 
Then  grace  must  take  its  flight. 

What  will  the  naked  millions  do  — 

Can  any  mortal  tell  — 
When,  stripped  bare,  unfit  they  are 

For  heaven  or  for  hell  ? 

Their  sins  are  gone,  their  graces  too  ; 

Well  may  they  loudly  call 
To  mountains  high,  and  rocks  near  by, 

Upon  their  heads  to  fall. 

But  there  's  another  class  cries  out, 

O,  poor,  conceited  man  ; 
He  runs  in  haste  to  fire  his  blast, 

Before  he  knows  our  plan. 


SHORTPOEMS.  19 

For  we  believe  God's  heavy  wrath 

Will  surely  come  on  all, 
Who  do  n't  espouse  his  righteous  cause, 

Nor  mind  the  Spirit's  call. 

When  he  doth  try  men  all  their  days, 

It  may  be  sixty  years, 
For  to  convert  their  stony  hearts, 

And  no  good  change  appears : 

Yea,  when  he  tries  them  many  ways, 

By  mercies  rich  and  large  ; 
E'en  by  his  word  and  by  his  rod, 

And  sin  gets  no  discharge  : 

Then  growing  weary  of  his  work, 

And  much  discouraged  too, 
He  gives  them  over  to  the  devil, 

To  see  what  he  can  do. 

The  devil  drags  them  down  to  hell, 

Where  every  AVOC  appears, 
And  damns  them  there,  beyond  compare, 

Perhaps  a  thousand  years. 


20  SHOBTPOEMS. 

Well  now  in  truth,  they  much  repent, 

And  long  for  to  depart, 
And  dwell  at  rest  among  the  blest  — 

They  have  a  broken  heart. 

Their  dross  is  all  burnt  up  in  hell, 

The  devil 's  done  the  chore  : 
He  's  qualified  them  for  to  dwell 

In  heaven  forevermore. 

Therefore  with  joy  they  now  arise, 

Meanwhile  a  lucid  train 
Do  guard  them  thro'  heaven's  curtains  blue, 

To  Zion's  pleasant  plain. 

And  there  they  walk  elysiurn  fields, 

Among  ambrosial  flowers ; 
'T  is  there  we  wist  they  swim  in  bliss, 

And  rest  in  florid  bowers. 

O  !  shocking  scheme,  delusive  plan, 

Here  's  a  tartareon's  task  ; 
The  blackest  art  hell  can  impart, 

The  devil  without  a  mask  : 


SHORT     POEMS.  21 

For  this  blasphemes  the  mighty  GOD, 
Who  heaven  and  earth  has  made  ; 

It  speaks  him  small  and  trivial, 
As  needing  Satan's  aid. 

This  robs  him  of  his  attributes, 

His  wisdom,  truth,  and  power, 
And  gives  them  over  to  the  devil, 

"Who  seeketh  to  devour. 

That  God  doth  need  the  devil's  power, 

It  is  a  delusive  plan  ; 
It  ne'er  was  told  till  a  late  hour, 

By  any  mortal  man. 

Let  all  take  care,  be  on  their  guard, 

The  devil  oft  beguiles  ; 
He  leads  men  on  in  error's  path, 

And  kills  them  by  his  wiles. 

But  still,  perhaps  some  men  may  say, 

The  mark  he  yet  doth  miss  ; 
It  is  their  punishment  in  hell 

Entitles  them  to  bliss. 


22  SHORTPOEMS. 

For  there  they  answer  law's  demands, 
And  then  come  out  of  hell ; 

As  men,  forsooth,  by  law  come  forth, 
When  they  swear  out  of  jail. 

And  now,  indeed,  they  shout  aloud, 

Their  Jubilee  is  come  ; 
They  shall  arise  from  pains  to  joys, 

For  God  doth  call  them  home. 

What !  enter  heaven  just  as  they  were 
When  they  went  down  to  hell  ? 

While  stained  with  sin,  can  they  go  in 
That  holy  place  to  dwell  ? 

What !  all  impure,  still  unrenewed, 

And  filthy  as  the  beasts  ? 
What !  naked  souls  and  graceless  fools 

Ascend  to  heaven's  rest? 

What !  saved  without  true  holiness 
Or  trusting  in  Christ's  name  ? 

Can  darkness  shine  in  light  divine, 
Or  give  a  radiant  flame  ? 


SHORT     POEMS.  23 

If  men  can  buy  eternal  rest 

By  temporary  pain, 
Then  Christ  our  Lord  has  shed  his  blood, 

For  Adam's  sons,  in  vain. 

We  read  no  other  name  is  given  — 

For  men  were  all  undone  — 
By  which  poor  sinners  can  be  saved, 

But  God's  beloved  Son. 

Besure,  the  Scriptures  all  agree, 

And  join  with  one  accord, 
That  none,  without  true  holiness, 

Shall  ever  see  the  Lord. 

And  is  there  holiness  in  hell,  — 

Does  sanctity  dwell  there  ? 
From  evil  thoughts  and  filthy  words 

Do  they  keep  wholly  clear  ? 

What  have  they  there  to  keep  them  free 

From  sin,  that  dreadful  evil, 
(Which  they  could  not  forsake  while  here,) 

Beside  the  raging  devil  ? 


24  SHORTPOEMS. 

All  sinners  shall  ascend  to  heaven, 

As  some  great  critics  tell ; 
But  why  are  some  brought  quickly  there, 

And  others  sent  to  hell  ? 

Why  are  some  guilty  sinners  changed, 
By  God's  all  powerful  grace, 

And  others  sent  to  punishment, 
In  that  tormenting  place  ? 

But  should  they  sin  while  they  lie  there, 
(They  will,  by  what  appears,) 

Then  they  must  dwell  in  that  dark  hell, 
Throughout  eternal  years. 

For  though  they  fry  in  torments  there, 

To  pay  the  mighty  score, 
Yet  sinning,  they  keep  up  the  debt, 

Or  add  unto  it  more. 

But  could  they  justice  pay  its  due, 

By  roasting  in  the  fire, 
And  then  arise  above  the  skies, 

To  hail  the  harping  choir  — 


S  H  O  K  T     V  O  E  M  S  .  25 

How  can  they  join  with  Christian  saints, 

The  Saviour's  love  to  tell  ? 
He  did  not  cleanse  them  with  his  blood, 

For  they  came  there  by  hell. 

"We  read,  the  joyful  songs  of  saints 

Are  unto  Jesus  given  ; 
Because  he  bought  them  with  his  blood, 

And  made  them  fit  for  heaven. 

But  here  we  see  a  smoky  club, 

The  devil  with  all  his  gains  ; 
And  can  they  rest  among  the  blest, 

Where  God  exalted  reigns  ? 

They  were  opposed  to  God,  while  here  ; 

For  Christ  they  had  no  love  ; 
Truth  they  defied,  in  sin  they  died, 

And  can  they  rest  above  ? 

Where  were  they  cleansed  from  their  sin  ? 

They  spurned  the  Saviour's  blood : 
Can  death  and  hell  fit  them  to  dwell 

With  the  most  holy  GOD  ? 
3 


26  SHOBT    POEMS . 

The  devil  knows  't  is  but  a  lie, 
That  grace  in  hell  is  given  ; 

That  men  come  there  for  to  prepare 
And  qualify  for  heaven. 

The  flames  of  the  eternal  gulf, 
With  all  the  horrors  there, 

Will  never  buy  a  place  on  high, 
As  Dives  can  declare. 

We  know  that  some  are  born  of  God, 
And  grace  doth  them  inspire  ; 

But  those  who  are  new-born  in  hell, 
Are  surely  born  of  fire  : 

Which  fire,  still  burning  fierce  and  keen, 

Is  called  the  second  death  ; 
For  here  indeed  is  felt  and  seen 

Jehovah's  heated  wrath. 

Here  the  Almighty  will  increase 

The  lashes  of  his  rod, 
Nor  will  their  fiery  torments  cease, 

So  long  as  he  is  God. 


SHORTPOEMS.  27 

But  could  the  devil  get  heaven  again, 

With  all  his  plaguy  crew, 
Though  God  be  there,  and  all  is  fair, 

He  may  his  war  renew. 

He  once  made  war  in  heaven,  we  know, 

And  fought  with  all  his  power, 
But  was  outdone  when  he  begun, 

And  banished  that  high  tower. 

He  tempted  Christ  to  worship  him, 
When  wealth  he  did  propound  ; 

But  hearing  truth  from  Jesus'  mouth, 
He  vanished  at  the  sound. 

He  tempted  Job  to  curse  his  God, 

When  ulcers  on  him  grew  ; 
He  drove  away  his  herds  and  flocks, 

And  sons  and  daughters  slew. 

And  now,  like  a  ferocious  beast, 

He  takes  his  daily  tour, 
Beneath  the  sky,  with  watchful  eye, 

In  order  to  devour. 


28  SHORTPOEMS. 

In  errors  path  he  hath  his  walk, 
And  with  malignant  breath, 

He  doth  intoxicate  and  sting 
A  thousand  souls  to  death. 

Be  not  deceived,  for  if  you  die 

Ere  you  to  God  return, 
The  vengeance  of  eternal  fire 

Will  endless  on  you  burn. 

Thou  shalt  not  die,  came  from  the  devil ; 

This  plan  was  hatched  in  hell ; 
It  spread  with  power  in  Eden's  bower, 

And  man  before  it  fell. 

This  flung  him  out  of  Paradise  ; 

How  dreadful  was  the  wound  ; 
It  made  him  sigh  and  groan  and  die, 

And  rot  beneath  the  ground. 

This  wounded  all  the  human  race ; 

Hence  man's  corruption  flows  ; 
Fearless  of  God,  he  likes  the  road 

That  leads  to  endless  woes. 


SHORTPOEMS.  29 

This  spread  destruction  far  and  wide, 
Through  nature's  boundless  plains  ; 

The  creatures  groan  beneath  a  frown, 
And  death  triumphant  reigns. 

This  set  the  elements  at  war  ; 

Spread  poison  in  the  air  ; 
While  sea  and  earth  contend  in  wrath, 

And  burning  lightnings  glare. 

But  who  can  scan  the  heavy  woes, 

Or  mete  the  judgments  out  — 
The  plagues  and  wrath,  the  wars  and  death, 

Hell's  plot  has  brought  about. 

'T  was  this  unstrung  the  angels'  harps, 

Until  the  golden  plan 
To  them  was  known,  before  the  throne, 

That  Christ  should  die  for  man. 

For  this  did  cost  our  Saviour's  death  ; 

But  death  his  power  reveals  ; 
For  he  arose,  in  spite  of  foes, 

To  Zion's  sparkling  hills. 
3* 


30  SHORTPOEMS. 

There  he  asserts  his  orient  throne  ; 

Hell  trembles  at  his  frown  ; 
He  loves  his  saints,  he  knows  their  wants, 

His  glories  will  them  crown. 

For  he  will  hring  them  home  to  joy, 

Where  they  shall  ever  reign  ; 
But  all  the  wicked  he  '11  destroy, 

In  darkness,  fire,  and  pain. 

My  friends,  would  you  avoid  God's  wrath, 

Where'er  you  go  or  dwell ; 
And  fiercer  ire,  which  burns  like  fire, 

In  the  eternal  hell? 

Would  you  your  names  immortalize, 

Among  celestial  choirs, 
And  have  them  sound  where  songs  go  round, 

On  angels'  golden  lyres  ? 

Would  you  maintain  a  walk  with  God, 

In  robes  divinely  fair  ; 
And  die  to  rest  among  the  blest  ? 

Keep  from  this  dev'lish  snare. 


HAPPY  END  OF  THE  RIGHTEOUS. 


How  calm  and  happy  is  the  death 

Of  one  in  Christ  who  dies  ; 
In  peace  and  hope  he  yields  his  breath, 

And  unto  Jesus  flies. 

Through  death's  dark  vale  he  takes  his  flight, 

While  angels  guard  his  way, 
And  soon  doth  reach  eternal  light, 

The  blaze  of  endless  day. 

But  who  can  tell  what  rising  joys, 

And  blissful  torrents  roll, 
With  new  delights  and  sweet  surprise, 

On  his  all-ravished  soul. 


32  SHORT    POEMS. 

There  does  he  give  his  noble  song, 

In  robes  of  glory  drest ; 
While  Jesus  sounds  on  every  tongue, 

And  gladdens  every  breast. 

Glory  succeeds  his  former  grief, 

On  Zion's  blissful  plains ; 
The  crosses  of  his  dying  life 

Are  changed  for  endless  gains. 

Sickness  and  death  no  more  are  known, 

All  woes  forever  fled  ; 
Rivers  of  life  glide  near  the  throne, 

From  heaven's  pure  Fountain-head. 

Nor  long  shall  death  his  spoil  retain, 

Within  his  iron  arms  ; 
His  mouldering  dust  shall  rise  again, 

Drest  in  a  thousand  charms. 

Before  his  glory  shining  bright  — 

The  glory  of  his  frame  — 
The  source  of  day,  so  full  of  light, 

Poth  give  a  paler  flame, 


SHORTPOEMS.  33 

The  resurrection  morn  will  bring 

His  truly  great  desire, 
For  he  will  fly  upon  the  wing, 

And  join  the  harping  choir. 

Now  he  shall  see  as  he  is  seen, 

And  know  as  he  is  known ; 
Now  he  has  on  his  garments  clean, 

Before  the  golden  throne. 

A  robe  of  spotless  righteousness, 

Which  doth  for  sin  atone  ; 
A  robe  outshining  angels'  dress, 

Though  they  stand  near  the  throne. 

This  garment  —  O  how  dazzling  bright, 

More  rich  than  golden  ore  ; 
Won  by  the  great  Redeemer's  fight, 

The  purchase  of  his  gore. 

An  angel's  tongue  cannot  express 

Its  worth,  nor  tell  how  fair  ; 
And  this  alone  must  be  the  dress, 

To  speak  my  entrance  there. 


34  SHORT    POEMS. 

Thus  drest,  he  stands  secure  with  God, 

In  that  tremendous  hour, 
When  Nature's  frame  doth  quake  and  nod, 

And  sink  beneath  his  power. 

Thus  drest,  he  sits  upon  the  throne 
Where  millions  give  their  songs, 

Where  golden  ages  still  begun, 
Rejoice  the  raptured  throngs. 


THE  PROSPERITY  AND  DEATH  OF 
THE   RICH   MAN, 

SPOKEN  OF  IN  ST.  LUKE'S  GOSPEL,  CHAP.  xvi. 


Behold  the  man,  whose  wealth  was  great, 

His  clothing  fine  and  red ; 
He  dwelt  at  ease  within  his  gate, 

On  sumptuous  fare  he  fed. 

His  fruitful  gardens  and  his  farms 

Yielded  a  mighty  store  ; 
His  crowded  barns  the  miser  charms,  — 

He  goes  to  building  more. 

And  said  unto  his  graceless  soul, 
Eat,  drink,  and  take  thine  ease, 

For  wealth  and  pleasures  on  thee  roll, 
As  billows  on  the  seas. 


36  SHORT     POEM  8. 

But  God,  his  Maker,  said,  Thou  fool, 

I  will  cut  short  thy  day ; 
This  night  will  I  require  thy  soul, 

And  thou  shalt  pass  away. 

Death  flies  to  do  his  business  well, 

Gives  him  a  deadly  wound, 
While  the  infernal  troops  from  hell 

The  frighted  wretch  surround. 

His  soul  now  leaves  its  filthy  clay, 

Ascends  the  starry  coasts, 
But  soon  is  given  for  a  prey 

To  black,  infernal  ghosts  : 

And  dragged  where  waves  of  vengeance  roll 

In  a  tempestuous  hell, 
Where  guilty,  never-dying  souls 

Shall  living  tortures  feel. 

Now  there  the  wretched  worldling  lies  ; 

His  pleasures  drew  his  love  ; 
In  torments  he  lifts  up  his  eyes, 

And  views  the  saints  above. 


SHORTPOEMS.  37 

A  gulf  is  fixed,  he  can't  come  there, 

He  in  those  flames  must  lie, 
And  wrath  shall  feed  his  keen  despair, 

Through  all  eternity. 

Lord,  wean  my  heart  from  worldly  toys, 

And  wash  my  sins  away, 
That  when  death  comes  my  soul  may  rise 

To  realms  of  endless  day. 


THOUGHTS  ON  UNIVERSALISM. 

BY   A   DIFFERENT   AUTHOR. 


'T  is  strange  that  men  of  sense  and  reason 
Should  execute  such  horrid  treason 

Against  the  King  of  heaven  : 
They  seek  to  find  ten  thousand  ways 
To  rob  Jehovah  of  his  praise, 

Nor  ask  to  be  forgiven. 

The  pure,  good,  wise,  and  Great  First  Cause 
Created  man,  and  gave  him  laws, 

To  be  the  rule  of  life ; 
But  he  from  laws  and  love  did  go, 
And  chose  the  crooked  path  of  woe, 

Which  leads  to  wretched  strife. 


40  SHORTPOEMS. 

But  man  was  built  upright  and  pure, 
Why  did  he  not  remain  secure 

From  such  a  wretched  choice  ? 
Because  the  old  Serpent,  quick  and  spry, 
Came  forth  and  gave  our  God  the  lie, 

And  man  believed  his  voice. 

And  ever  since  that  falling  hour, 
The  devils  exercise  their  power, 

To  lead  mankind  aside  ; 
And  man,  as  selfish  as  an  elf, 
Doth  study  still  to  serve  himself, 

And  trusts  upon  his  pride. 

Satan  and  self,  and  lust  and  pride, 
Each  evil  principle  beside, 

All  in  one  plot  combine ; 
When  ignorance  fails  they  '11  doctrine  try, 
And  turn  the  truth  into  a  lie, 

Or  read  but  half  a  line. 


SHORT    POEMS.  41 

And  when  old-fashioned  error  failed, 
There  was  a  potent  council  held 

'Mongst  all  the  powers  of  sin  ; 
They  studied  for  some  dreadful  plan, 
To  catch  the  precious  soul  of  man, 

And  thus  they  did  begin  :  — 

'  What  shall  we  do  ? — our  plans  prove  vague ; 
There  are  a  few  foresee  the  plague, 

And  hide  from  every  gin  ; 
Go  to,  we  '11  try  some  grand  design, 
Which  shall  appear  to  man  divine,  — 

Dress  some  religious  sin.' 

Thus  raising  all  the  powers  of  hell, 
They  rumaged  all  the  noisome  cell, 

To  search  some  doctrine  out ; 
Then  Satan  raised  his  cursed  head, 
And  with  a  hellish  joy  he  said, 

'  I  've  found  a  plan,  no  doubt, 
4* 


42  SHORTPOEMS. 

'  Go,  turn  the  Bible  all  about, 
Prove  an  enticing  doctrine  out, 

That  all  mankind  are  saved  ; 
Say  there  's  no  danger,  all  is  well, 
And  tell  the  sinner  there  's  no  hell, 

For  him,  beyond  the  grave  : 

'  Go  tell  him  live  just  as  he  list, 
And  not  one  single  sin  resist, 

For  God  decreed  the  same  ; 
Go  say  that  God  created  sin, 
And  man  is  only  a  machine, 

Which  cannot  bear  the  blame.' 

Thus  they  conceived  a  dreadful  plan, 
Well  suited  to  the  pride  of  man, 

Who  soon  agreed  to  that ; 
And  now  they  preach  it  o'er  the  land, 
And  0  !  what  progress  they  have  gained, 

To  bring  poor  souls  to  fate. 


SHORTPOEMS.  43 

'T  was  from  the  black,  infernal  pit, 
With  Satan  at  the  head  of  it, 

And  legions  close  behind  ; 
With  lies,  deceit,  and  fire  and  smoke, 
Each  conscience  they  would  sear  and  choke, 

Till  it  was  dumb  and  blind. 

But  let  each  living  mortal  know 
This  doctrine  leads  to  endless  woe, 

Therefore  he  must  take  care, 
Least  that  the  light  he  hath  within 
Be  nought  but  darkness,  guilt,  and  sin, 

Which  leads  to  black  despair. 

At  variance  with  himself,  can  He  — 
Can  the  Almighty  ever  be  ? 

If  so,  he  soon  must  fall ; 
If  God  to  man  has  trespass  given, 
All  vice  and  malice  came  from  heaven, 

And  there  's  no  sin  at  all. 


44  SHOKTPOEMS. 

Now  hear  what  Christ  himself  did  say  • 
That  on  the  resurrection  day, 

Some  shall  appear  to  life  ; 
But  others,  who  have  evil  done, 
Shall  go  away  to  damnation  — 

Yea,  all  the  sons  of  strife. 

Except  your  righteousness  exceed 
That  of  the  Pharisee's,  indeed, 

Ye  shall  not  enter  heaven. 
Again  —  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts  - 
The  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost 

Shall  never  be  forgiven. 

Again  't  is  said,  Depart  from  me, 
Ye  workers  of  iniquity  — 

'T  is  not,  Ye  works  depart  — 
But  ye,  who  work  iniquity, 
Ye  wicked  ones,  depart  from  me, 

Eternally  depart. 


SHORTPOEMS.  45 

If  all  alike  are  to  be  blest, 
How  could  it  be  for  Judas  best, 

If  he  had  ne'er  been  made  ? 
How  can  it  in  the  judgment  be, 
More  tolerable  for  Tyre  than  thee, 

As  Christ  himself  hath  said  ? 

He  who  believes  shall  be  made  justj 
He  who  believes  not  shall  be  curst 

With  God's  eternal  frown ; 
When  once  you  're  in  the  prison  laid. 
You  '11  not  come  out  till  you  have  paid 

The  utmost  farthing  down. 

Did  not  our  Lord  declare  to  some, 
That '  Where  I  am  ye  cannot  come,' 

E'en  all  who  die  in  sin  ? 
A  gulf 's  between  Dives  and  heaven, 
He  cannot  pass,  nor  be  forgiven, 

But  there  in  liumes  remain. 


46  SHORTPOEMS. 

Not  every  one  that  saith,  Lord,  Lord, 
Shall  e'er  receive  a  saint's  reward, 

But  he  who  doth  God's  will. 
Heaven  is  so  pure,  that  what 's  unclean 
Will  be  debarred  from  entering  in  — 

Let  them  remain  so  still. 

Think,  O  !  ye  wolves,  in  form  of  men, 
Who  preach  the  hell-redemption  plan, 

Our  Lord  declared  to  some, 
There  was  a  sin  they  ought  to  fear, 
Which  should  not  be  forgiven  here, 

Nor  in  the  world  to  come. 

Nought  but  the  blood  of  Christ  alone 
Can  for  the  sins  of  men  atone, 

Or  pay  that  dreadful  debt ; 
Not  all  the  suffering  that  can  be 
Endured  through  all  eternity, 

Can  e'er  diminish  it. 


SHOKTPOEMS.  47 

My  friends,  I  beg,  with  all  my  heart, 
That  you  would  not  the  truth  pervert, 

Nor  here  its  force  evade  ; 
The  Scriptures  do  our  creed  contain, 
In  characters  as  fair  and  plain, 

As  ever  limner  made. 


THE   SINNER'S  MISTAKE. 


BY   ISAAC    WATTS. 


Laugh,  ye  profane,  and  swell  and  burst 

With  bold  impiety ; 
Yet  shall  ye  live  forever  cursed, 

And  seek  in  vain  to  die. 

The  gasp  of  your  expiring  breath 
Consigns  your  soul  to  chains, 

By  the  last  agonies  of  death, 
Sent  down  to  fiercer  pains. 

Ye  stand  upon  a  dreadful  steep, 

And  all  beneath  is  hell ; 
Your  weighty  guilt  will  sink  you  deep, 

Where  the  old  serpent  fell. 
5 


50  SHOBTPOEMS. 

When  iron  slumbers  bind  your  flesh, 
With  strange  surprise,  you  '11  find 

Immortal  vigor  spring  afresh, 
And  tortures  wake  the  mind ! 

Then  you  '11  confess  the  frightful  names 
Of  plagues  you  scorned  before, 

No  more  shall  look  like  idle  dreams, 
Like  foolish  tales  no  more. 

Then  shall  ye  curse  that  fatal  day, 
(With  flames  upon  your  tongues,) 

When  you  exchanged  your  souls  away 
For  vanity  and  songs. 

Behold  the  saints  rejoice  to  die, 

For  heaven  shines  round  their  heads ; 

And  angel-guards,  prepared  to  fly, 
Attend  their  fainting  beds. 

Their  longing  spirits  part,  and  rise 

To  their  celestial  seat ; 
Above  these  ruinable  skies 

They  make  their  last  retreat. 


SHORT     FOE  MS.  51 

Hence,  ye  profane,  I  hate  your  ways, 

I  walk  with  pious  souls  ; 
There  's  a  wide  difference  in  our  race, 

And  distant  are  our  goals. 


THE   LAW  AND   GOSPEL. 


BY   ISAAC    WATTS. 


'  Curst  be  the  man,  forever  curst, 
'  That  doth  one  wilful  sin  commit ; 

'  Death  and  damnation  for  the  first, 
'  Without  relief,  and  infinite.' 

Thus  Sinai  roars  ;  and  round  the  earth 
Thunder  and  fire,  and  vengeance  flings  ; 

But,  Jesus,  thy  dear  gasping  breath, 
And  Calvary,  say  gentler  things. 


52  SHORTPOEMS. 

*  Pardon,  and  grace,  and  boundless  love, 
'  Streaming  along  a  Saviour's  blood, 

'  And  life,  and  joys,  and  crowns  above, 
'  Dear-purcliased  by  a  bleeding  God.' 

Hark  !  how  he  prays,  (the  charming  sound 
Dwells  on  his  dying  lips,)  '  Forgive  ! ' 

And  every  groan,  and  gaping  wound, 
Cries,  '  Father,  let  the  rebels  live.' 

Go,  you  that  rest  upon  the  law, 
And  toil,  and  seek  salvation  there, 

Look  to  the  flames  that  Moses  saw, 
And  shrink,  and  tremble,  and  despair. 

But  I  '11  retire  beneath  the  cross  ; 

Saviour,  at  thy  dear  feet  I  lie  ; 
And  the  keen  sword  that  justice  draws, 

Flaming  and  red,  shall  pass  me  by. 


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